Review: Doomsday Clock #8

Doomsday Clock #8 is the most DC heroes focused issue of the series thus far, and in doing so offers some appreciated insight and expansion on the current state of the DC Universe. Tensions across the globe are as high as ever thanks to the continued investigation into the “Metahuman theroy” – the theory that the majority of Metahumans in the United States were created and are now manipulated by the US government. This notion is a terrifying one for the rest of the world because if true it indicates that the US has been secretly amassing an army of super soldiers.

Geoff Johns has an acute handle on the characterizations of essentially every DC character and it really shines here. This understanding of the characters and how they would react in the dire circumstances they find themselves in make for a compelling page turner from start to finish. The sense of escalation the world feels is felt throughout this issue, and it culminates in a sequence that fills you with dread as it races towards it’s inevitable climax.

We’re given more shocking developments that change how we perceive certain characters in the story, and also get hints at plans to come. There’s a feeling that the situation is so much bigger in scale than even we realize, and it already looks like the world is coming to an end as is. Relations across the globe continue spiraling out of control and we feel the same helplessness that we see our favorite heroes experiencing.

Gary Frank is one of the best in the business and he continues to prove why here. The world and characters on display are illustrated exquisitely and brought to life even further with Brad Anderson’s rich and varied colors. This artistic duo has been firing on all cylinders since issue 1 and they show no sign of slowing down. With Rob Leigh provided on point lettering and Amie Brockway-Metcalf designing the ever informative back matter this book is worth cover price on visuals alone.

Doomsday Clock #8 continues the methodical slow burn the series has established since the beginning while simultaneously ramping up the escalation of events in the world. Johns is crafting an incredibly powerful, perfectly constructed, and relevant story using the iconic characters from both Watchmen and DC in ways that can only be applauded. While the wait for each installment feels like forever, every issue delivers a story well worth the wait.